Lessons Learned In Leadership

     For my Marketing class, we have begun reading “Lessons Learned: Straight Talk from the World’s Top Leaders”. The book has been significantly insightful in terms of how leaders conduct relationships with their customers and solidify their visions. In addition, these leaders highlight some of the most important techniques in their personal leadership strategies. 

     In reading this book, I have been able to recognize and relate to some of these strategies in ways I conduct my own leadership style. In addition, I have been able to connect some of these strategies to a few of my Strength Finder results, such as “empathy”, “connectedness”, and “developer”. 

     For example, as I have mentioned before, these strengths emphasize my abilities in connecting to others, empathizing with them, and recognizing their significance. In the book, Richard Santulli states that “To lead a sales team effectively, you have to show that you care about your customers. Lead by example, and go the extra mile”. I think that executing this strategy is so crucial in being successful in not only your business but developing lasting relationships with customers. 

     I have found that this strategy has been especially useful in leadership roles such as, Recruitment Counselor. During the formal Sorority Recruitment process, my partner and I dealt with a situation in which one of our group members was feeling defeated after not getting asked back to her first-choice organization. Though there were 15 others girls in our group and we had a schedule to maintain, both my partner and I took the time to sit down and discuss her thoughts and feelings separately from the group. We reiterated that although one organization may not have worked out as she intended, that other organizations saw strong qualities in her that fit well with their sisterhood and what they stood for as an organization. Having this private conversation with her was important in both helping give her a renewed outlook on the situation and reminding her that she is important not only to the organizations on campus, but also to us. 

     Furthermore, I am looking forward to delving more into this book and learning leadership advice from such influential industry leaders. 

Strengths Finder!

     This semester, I am taking a Marketing class which focuses on building students as business professionals and marketing ourselves for potential employers. Last week, our assignment was to read a portion of the book, “Strengths Finder 2.0”, and take a 30-minute “Strength Finder” test which assesses our individual natural talents. 

     Throughout the test, we were asked specific questions pertaining to our relationships with others, our work ethic, and our overall outlook on our present and future aspirations. After finishing the assessment, we were given an in-depth description of our top five strengths and how to apply these strengths. 

     Needless to say, I was eager to target my strengths and learn more about how to utilize them. At the end of the assessment, the results showed that my top five strengths were empathy, connectedness, discipline, developer, and positivity. In delving into the description of each, I found that each strength strongly connected to my work strategies, as well as how I conduct myself in social situations. 

     The strengths, empathy, connectedness, and developer, all emphasize my strong ability to connect with others. I have found that throughout my life I have intuitive instincts as to how people are feeling and what they are thinking; and seek to develop others and help them grow. I am often times the person others seek to give advice or express themselves to. Additionally, one specific description under “connectedness”, describes myself as someone who yearns “to dedicate yourself to worthy causes or noble purposes”. In my life I have often sought roles and responsibilities in which I can dedicate myself to helping others in some form. 

     For example, this past semester I took the role of recruitment counselor, or “Rho Psi”, for my campuses Panhellenic recruitment. Our purpose was to help potential new members in finding which sorority was right for them and to give guidance throughout the process. Our group of Rho Psi counselors became unaffiliated from each of our houses in order to remain unbiased and focus on the needs of the potential new members. Overall, we were dedicated to remaining positive, perceptive, and objective during the recruitment process.

     In terms of my discipline strength, the description focused on routine and structure. I am a highly organized person and relish in having a well-sequenced plan. I love making and following through with to-do lists, whether they are simply for the day or for my week. During class projects I enjoy organizing what needs to get done and by what date. Last spring for my technical writing course, I was paired with a group to work with a client and create a document for their organization. Our team had to communicate with our client on a weekly basis, create a Proposal, and put together a Needs analysis report. In addition, we each took on specific roles so that we could easily organize our tasks. I took the position as “Task Manager”, which involved identifying the tasks we needed to finish, creating a schedule, and adjusting the schedule accordingly. In addition, I wrote the weekly status reports with the minutes. I really enjoyed this role, as I was able to utilize and enhance my time management and organizational abilities. 

     My last but certainly not the least strength, positivity, explains my daily demeanor and how I approach most situations. In the description, it explains “chances are good that you typically go out of your way to tell your coworkers how much you value their contributions, talents, ideas, and successes”. This not only connects to how I am with coworkers of mine, but also to how I am within my sorority, Chi Omega. I truly believe that positivity is key in every situation. Within the sisterhood, we are a constant support system for one another and always strive to recognize each others talents and successes. Whether it is congratulating each other on doing well on an exam or celebrating our hard work with philanthropic events, we never hesitate to express gratitude and how we value one another. 

Introduction

    My name is Mariah and I just began my Senior year at the University of New Hampshire. I am currently pursuing a degree in Communications with a focus in Marketing & PR. I have a passion for all things creative and would like to focus my career in a field where I can utilize my skills in writing, print design, and public relations.

    In high school, I thoroughly enjoyed the position as Chief Editor of our yearbook, and have continued in college as Design Co-Chair on the student-driven journal of Communication, Comm-Entary. In addition, I have involved myself in campus Greek Life, which has given me immense insight on the importance of organization, time management, and interpersonal skills. I love engaging with people and think it is so crucial in our culture where there are now so many platforms of communication. 

     I hope this year to acquire an internship where I will be able to enhance my knowledge and skills gained through both my education and personal experience!